Set top box with capability to support user identification

ABSTRACT

A method includes receiving a request related to a set top box, the request having a public identifier of the set top box and a user account identifier. The public identifier is accessible by a user associated with the set top box. The method also includes accessing a user record, corresponding to a location, from a database of user records. The method further includes determining, from the user record, a private identifier of the set top box corresponding to the public identifier of the set top box, wherein the private identifier is unique to the set top box among a set of set top boxes associated with the user record and the private identifier is inaccessible by the user and using the private identifier to perform an action related to the set top box in response to the request.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/618,110, filed on Nov. 13, 2009, entitled“SET TOP BOX WITH CAPABILITY TO SUPPORT USER IDENTIFICATION,” thecontents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to user identification of aset top box.

BACKGROUND

For certain television services, each television set may be connected toa set top box (STB) and each STB may be connected to a network via aresidential gateway (RG). Each STB is associated with a globally uniqueidentifier (GUID) as its device identifier. When a STB is plugged intothe RG, it will go through an authentication process to have the GUIDregistered in the network. If there is more than one STB installed atthe residence, there will be multiple GUIDs registered in the networkand any related systems. Subscribers do not have access to the GUIDs.

When a STB is not functioning properly, the subscriber may use aself-service channel to attempt to resolve the problem. The self-servicechannel may prompt the subscriber to provide information to try anddetermine which STB is not functioning properly. However, the subscribermay not be able to access, view, or otherwise determine the GUID of themalfunctioning STB.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first particular embodiment of a systemto support user identification of a set top box;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second particular embodiment of a systemto support user identification of a set top box;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a third particular embodiment of a systemto support user identification of a set top box;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a particular embodiment of a method tosupport user identification of a set top box;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a generalinternet protocol television (IPTV) system; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a generalcomputer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a particular embodiment, a method for performing a service action ona particular set top box based on a particular private identifierassociated with the particular set top box is disclosed. At a databaseassociated with a service provider, a user record for a user is created.The user record includes a public identifier accessible by the user anda private identifier inaccessible by the user for each of a plurality ofset top boxes associated with the user. If a particular set top box isnot operating properly, a service request associated with the particularset top box may be received at a server. The service request may includea particular public identifier associated with the particular set topbox that is not operating properly. The particular public identifier isused to determine a particular private identifier associated with theparticular set top box. Based on the particular private identifier, aservice action is performed on the particular set top box. In aparticular embodiment, the particular public identifier is user defined.In a particular embodiment, the particular private identifier is aglobally unique identifier (GUID), and the GUID is used to remotelyretrieve problem logs from the particular set top box. In anotherparticular embodiment, the particular set top box that is not operatingproperly is rebooted in response to performing the service action whileset top boxes, other than the particular set top box, are not rebooted.

In another particular embodiment, a device is disclosed that includes aserver having access to a database associated with a service provider.The database stores a public identifier accessible by a user and aprivate identifier inaccessible by the user for each of a plurality ofset top boxes (STBs) accessible by the user. Each of the plurality ofSTBs is in communication with the server. The device also includes auser service interface to receive a service request associated with aparticular STB of the plurality of STBs. The service request includes aparticular public identifier associated with the particular STB, and theparticular public identifier is used to determine a particular privateidentifier by accessing the database. The device further includes aservice module to perform a service action based on the particularprivate identifier associated with the particular STB.

In another particular embodiment, a system is disclosed that includes agateway coupled to a plurality of set top boxes (STBs). The system alsoincludes a network output of the gateway, where the network output isoperable to output a service request associated with a particular STB ofa plurality of STBs coupled to the gateway. The system further includesa network input of the gateway, where the network input receives acommand from the server. The command is associated with a service actionto be performed with respect to the particular STB.

FIG. 1 depicts a communication system 100 that supports useridentification of a set top box. The communication system 100 includes adata network 116, a server 140, a service configuration system 142, anda policy management system 144. The server 140 is coupled to a database118. The data network 116 is coupled to a residential gateway 147. Theresidential gateway 147 is coupled to a plurality of set top boxesincluding a first set top box 106, a second set top box 108, and a thirdset top box 112. The first set top box 106 contains a first memory 148.The second set top box 108 contains a second memory 150. The third settop box 112 contains a third memory 152. Each of the set top boxes iscoupled to a display device such as a first television 102, a secondtelevision 104, and a third television 110, as illustrated in FIG. 1.Each of the set top boxes 106, 108, 112 may be located within aresidence or office of a user 148. The data network 116 may be coupledto a plurality of residential gateway devices even though only a singleresidential gateway 147 is shown in FIG. 1.

The database 118 includes a plurality of user records, such as a firstuser record 120, a second user record 122, and a third user record 124.For each user of a plurality of set top boxes, such as therepresentative user 148, the user record includes a public identifieraccessible by the user and a private identifier that is not accessibleby the user corresponding to each set top box. For example, in the firstuser record 120, the first public identifier 130 and the first privateidentifier 128 are associated with the first set top box 106. The secondpublic identifier 134 and the second private identifier 132 areassociated with the second set top box 108. The third public identifier138 and the third private identifier 136 are associated with the thirdset top box 112. In a particular embodiment, the first privateidentifier 128, the second private identifier 132, and the third privateidentifier 136 are distinct globally unique identifiers (GUIDs). The useof GUIDs may enable a service provider to uniquely identify any deployedSTB, thereby enabling activation and blocking of services and features(e.g., pay-per-view and video on demand) on a STB-by-STB basis. The userrecords within the database 118 are each accessible by the server 140,by the policy management system 144, and by the service configurationsystem 142.

In a particular embodiment, the server 140 includes an internet protocoltelevision (IPTV) platform. The IPTV platform of the server 140 isoperable to communicate multimedia services via the data communicationnetwork 116 to the residential gateway 147 for display and for use byeach of the plurality of set top boxes of the representative user 148.

Each of the plurality of set top boxes receives and is configured tocommunicate a public identifier to the representative user 148. Forexample, the first set top box 106 is operative to communicate the firstpublic identifier 130, the second set top box 108 is operative tocommunicate the second public identifier 134, and the third set top box112 is operative to communicate the third public identifier 138.Further, each of the plurality of set top boxes is uniquely identifiedby a private identifier. For example, the first set top box 106 isidentified by the first private identifier 128, the second set top box108 is identified by the second private identifier 132, and the thirdset top box 112 is identified by the third private identifier 136. Itshould be noted that each of the private identifiers is not accessibleby the user 148. For example, the first private identifier 128 may bestored in a secure portion of a memory or in a secure memory that is notaccessible by a user of the first set top box 106.

During use, the user 148 activates one or more of the plurality of settop boxes. For example, the user 148 may plug the first set top box 106,the second set top box 108, and the third set top box 112 into walloutlets to supply power to each set top box. In a particular embodiment,a technician may activate one or more of the plurality of set top boxesinstead of the user 148. After activation, the residential gateway 147sends an Internet protocol (IP) address 146 stored in the residentialgateway 147 along with the private identifiers 128, 132, 136 stored ineach of the plurality of set top boxes to the server 140 forauthentication. For example, the residential gateway 147 may send the IPaddress 146 stored in the residential gateway 147 along with the firstprivate identifier 128 from the first set top box 106.

The server 140 sends the IP address 146 and one or more of the privateidentifiers to the policy management system 144 to be associated with avalid user record 120 for the representative user 148. In a particularembodiment, the policy management system 144 queries the serviceconfiguration system 142 to identify a set top box order for the userrecord 120. In another particular embodiment, the private identifiersand customer account identification are stored in both the serviceconfiguration system 142 and the policy management system 144. Theservice configuration system 142 directs the server 140 to accept theset top box authentication request and to store the private identifiersin the database 118.

The server 140 assigns a unique public identifier to each set top boxand stores each of the public identifiers in the database 118. Forexample, the server 140 may assign a 2 digit code such as “01” as thefirst public identifier 130 for the first set top box 106. As anotherexample, the server 140 may assign a text string such as “bedroom STB”as the first public identifier 130 for the first set top box 106. Theunique public identifier for each set top box and is then sent to eachcorresponding set top box. For example, the first public identifier 130is sent to the first set top box 106, the second public identifier 134is sent to the second set top box 108, and the third public identifier138 is sent to the third set top box 112. The server 140 also sends theaccount identification, the private identifier, and the publicidentifier for each set top box to both the policy management system 144and the service configuration system 142.

Each set top box stores its private identifier and its public identifierto its internal memory. For example, the first set top box 106 may storethe private identifier 128 and the public identifier 130 in the memory148. In a particular embodiment, the memory 148 is a nonvolatile memory.In a particular embodiment, each set top box is operable to display thepublic identifier onto an LED screen or television. In anotherparticular embodiment, a built-in audio chipset may audibly identify thepublic identifier. For example, the set top box may play its publicidentifier to a user who is visually impaired using text-to-speechconversion and a speaker. In a particular embodiment, the set top boxautomatically plays the public identifier following an authenticationprocess during set top box installation and is configured to play thepublic identifier when requested by a user (e.g., via a dedicated buttonat a remote control of the set top box).

Referring to FIG. 2, an illustrative embodiment of a system to supportset top box identification is illustrated. The system includes a datanetwork 216, a representative server 240, a database 218, and a publicnetwork 242, such as the Internet. The system further includes a serviceconfiguration system 252, a diagnostic system 250, a customercare/repair service system 254, a self-service web portal 244, and aninteractive voice response (IVR) system 246. The service configurationsystem 252 is coupled to the server 240. Similarly, the diagnosticsystem 250 is coupled to the server 240. The customer care/repairservice system 254 is coupled to the service configuration system 252and to the diagnostic system 250. The self-service portal 244 is coupledto the public internet 242 and is coupled to the customer care/repairservice system 254. The interactive voice response system 246 is coupledto the customer care/repair service system 254 and is coupled to receivecalls, such as calls from users of a communication service. Arepresentative user 248 is shown in FIG. 2.

The system includes a residential gateway 214 that is coupled to aplurality of set top boxes. For example, the residential gateway 214 iscoupled to a first set top box 206, a second set top box 208, and athird set top box 212. The first set top box 206 contains a first memory248, and the first memory 248 contains a first public identifier 230 anda first private identifier 228. The second set top box 208 contains asecond memory 250, and the second memory 250 contains a second publicidentifier 234 and a second private identifier 232. The third set topbox 212 contains a third memory 252, and the third memory 252 contains athird public identifier 238 and a third private identifier 236. Each ofthe set top boxes is coupled to a display device such a television, asshown. For example, the first set top box 206 is coupled to the firsttelevision 202, the second set top box 208 is coupled to the secondtelevision 204, and the third set top box 212 is coupled to the thirdtelevision 210. Each of the set top boxes 206, 208, 212 are accessibleby the user 248 and may be located within a residence or office of theuser 248. The residential gateway 214 may also be coupled to acommunication device such as a phone 256 for use by the user 248. Thephone 256 may be utilized for placing calls via the residential gateway214 or may be used to place calls over an alternative network, such as awireless network or a landline telephone network.

The database 218 includes a user record 220 associated with therepresentative user 248. The user record 220 includes the first publicidentifier 230, the first private identifier (e.g. a first GUID) 228,the second public identifier 234, the second private identifier (e.g. asecond GUID) 232, the third public identifier 238, and the third privateidentifier (e.g. a third GUID) 236. The user record 220 may be createdin the database 218 by a service provider through use of commands fromthe server 240. Alternatively, commands to the database 218 may bereceived from other components of the service provider network, such asfrom the service configuration system 252.

In a particular embodiment, public identifiers may be user defined. Forexample, the first public identifier 230, the second public identifier232, and the third public identifier 238 may be defined by the user 248.The user 248 may utilize an input device to one of the set top boxes,such as the first set top box 206, to input a selected identifier todefine the first public identifier 230 for the first set top box 206.The user defined identifier may be communicated by the residentialgateway 214 via the data network 216 to the server 240. The server 240may update a record or create a new record or a data entry, such as adata entry in the first user record 220 to include the public identifierdefined by the user 248. Similarly, each of the public identifiers 234and 238 may be user defined. In a particular embodiment, each of theprivate identifiers is a distinct globally unique identifier (GUID) (oneGUID per set top box). Each private identifier may correspond to apublic identifier. For example, the first private identifier 228 maycorrespond to the first public identifier 230. Elements within theservice provider network, such as the server 240, the serviceconfiguration system 252, and the diagnostic system 250, may access thefirst private identifier 228 from the database 218 in response toreceiving the public identifier 230 that corresponds to the firstprivate identifier 228. Thus, an IPTV platform within the server 240,the service configuration system 252, and the diagnostic system 250 mayretrieve the first private identifier 228 upon receiving a servicerequest from the user 248 where the service request provides the firstpublic identifier 230.

A private identifier, such as the GUID 228 of the first set top box 206,may be used by one or more of the network elements of the serviceprovider network to remotely retrieve problem logs and other informationassociated with a particular set top box (e.g. the first set top box206) identified by the first private identifier. For example, the server240 may retrieve an error log associated with the first set top box 206upon accessing the first private identifier 228 from the database 218.The server 240 may provide the error log information associated with thefirst set top box 206 to either the service configuration system 252 orto the diagnostic system 250. The diagnostic system 250 may utilize theerror log information in order to perform diagnostic tests on theparticular set top box (for example, the first set top box 206)identified by the first private identifier 228. Once the diagnosticsystem 250 performs the diagnostic tests, the diagnostic system 250 maysend an indication to the server 240 to perform a service action. Theserver 240, based on the first private identifier 228, performs aservice action by initiating a command for the first set top box 206.Thus, the server 240 may send a command to the first set top box 206identified by the first private identifier 228. In this scenario, theother set top boxes 208 and 212 are not affected by the service actionor by the commands sent by the server 240. Thus, the server 240 mayuniquely identify and perform service actions via the residentialgateway 214 with respect to a particular set top box (e.g. set top box206) without affecting any of the other set top boxes (e.g. set topboxes 208,212) coupled to the residential gateway 214.

During use of a communication service, such as a television service, asignal to a television may be lost. For example, a signal to thetelevision 202 may be lost. The user 248, upon noticing the problem withtelevision 202, checks the television 204 and the television 210 andconcludes that both of the televisions 204 and 210 are operatingproperly. To respond to the problem with the first television 202coupled to the first set top box 206, the user 248 determines the firstpublic identifier 230 for the first set top box 206. In one embodiment,the first public identifier 230 is displayed on an LED screen of thefirst set top box 206.

In one embodiment, the user 248 communicates using the telephone 256 tothe customer care/repair service system 254 to alert the customercare/repair system 254 that a set top box is not operating properly. Forexample, the user may use the telephone 256 to communicate to thecustomer care/repair service system 254 that the first set top box 206is not operating properly. The customer care/repair service system 254prompts the user 248 to provide the public identifier of the set top boxthat is not operating properly. The user may then input the first publicidentifier 230 of the first set top box 206. The customer care repairservice system 254 begins the problem resolution process to determinewhy the identified set top box is not operating properly. In aparticular embodiment, the user 248 informs a technician of the publicidentifier and the technician performs diagnostic tests to determine whythe set top box is not operating properly.

In another particular embodiment, the user 248 communicates with thecustomer care/repair service system 254 through the interactive voiceresponse system 246 to start the resolution process. For example, whenthe interactive voice response system 246 prompts the user 248 for theset top box number, the user may use a touch tone keypad on the phone256 to enter the public identifier 230. The interactive voice responsesystem 246 then sends a message to the customer care/repair servicesystem 254 to begin the resolution process to determine why theidentified set top box is not operating properly.

In another particular embodiment, the user 248 uses a computing device,such as a personal computer or a personal digital assistant, to accessthe self service web portal 244 via the Internet. The self service webportal 244 prompts the user 248 to enter the public identifier of theset top box that is not operating properly. The self service web portal244 accesses the customer care/repair system 254 to begin the resolutionprocess with respect to the identified set top box.

Once the resolution process begins, the customer care/repair system 254queries the diagnostic system 250 using the user record 220 and thepublic identifier provided by the user 248 to retrieve the privateidentifier corresponding to the public identifier of the set top box.For example, the user 248 may provide the first public identifier 230and the first public identifier 230 may be used to retrieve the firstprivate identifier 228 for the first set top box 206. The retrievedprivate identifier is communicated to the diagnostic system 250 to startthe diagnostic process. In a particular embodiment, the diagnosticsystem 250 retrieves a log file associated with the set top box,analyzes the log file, and determines that a reboot of the set top boxshould be performed. The diagnostic system 250 then sends a rebootrecommendation to the customer care/repair system 254 to reboot thefirst set top box 206. In response to the reboot recommendation, areboot command is sent to the first set top box 206 via the residentialgateway 214. The reboot command triggers a reboot of the first set topbox 206 without affecting operation at any of the other STBs 208, 212.

Referring to FIG. 3, a third particular embodiment of a system tosupport identification of a set top box is shown. The system includes aresidential gateway 302 that is coupled to a plurality of set top boxes.The residential gateway 302 is coupled to a first set top box 310, asecond set top box 318, and a third set top box 328. The first set topbox 310 includes a first public identifier 312, a first privateidentifier 314, a display device 316, such as a light emitting diode(LED), and an audio playback component 318. The second set top box 318includes a second public identifier 320, a second private identifier352, a second audio component 326, and a second display device 324. Thethird set top box 328 includes a third public identifier 330, a thirdprivate identifier 354, a third audio component 334, and a third displaydevice 332. Each of the plurality of the set top boxes may be coupled toa display device, such as a television (not shown). In a particularembodiment, the residential gateway 302 includes a memory 304 thatstores an IP address 362 of the residential gateway 302, one or morepublic identifiers 358 and one or more private identifiers 360. Forexample, the memory 304 may store the first public identifier 312, thesecond public identifier 320, and third public identifier 330 from eachof the respective set top box devices 310, 318, 328 in the publicidentifier region 358.

The residential gateway 302 is coupled via an interface 342 to a network344. The network 344 may be a distributed data network that is coupledto a remotely located server 346. An example of the server 346 is theserver 140 of FIG. 1 or the server 240 of FIG. 2.

The interface 342 of the residential gateway 302 includes an input 340and an output 338. The input 340 and the output 338 may be implementedas separate components or as a combined I/O component within theresidential gateway 302. The components may be software components orhardware components based on a particular implementation. The output 338is operative to output a service request associated with a particularset top box of the plurality of set top boxes. For example, the output340 may send a service request that includes the first public identifier312 to identify the first set top box 310 as a particular set top boxneeding service attention. The service request may be sent as a messagethat encodes or embeds the first public identifier 312 associated withthe first set top box 310. The first public identifier 312 of the firstset top box 310 is usable by a service provider network, such as anetwork coupled the server 346, to determine the first privateidentifier 350 corresponding to the first public identifier 312. Theserver 346 identifies the first private identifier 314 uniquelyassociated with the first set top box 310. The first private identifier314 may be used by the server 346 to perform a service action that isexclusively performed on the first set top box 310, without impactingservice of any of the other set top boxes 318 and 328. In a particularembodiment, the first private identifier is a globally unique identifier(GUID).

The input 340 is operative to receive a command from the server 346,where the command is associated with a service action to be performedwith respect to a particular set top box. For example, the server 346may send a command associated with a service action to be performed bythe first set top box 310. In this example, the service command iscommunicated from the server 346 that has access to the first privateidentifier 314 associated with the first set top box 310. For example,the first public identifier 312 may have a corresponding first privateidentifier 314 stored or accessible within the server 346, where thefirst private identifier 314 uniquely identifies the first set top box310. The server 346 sends the command associated with the service actionto be performed at the first set top box 310 via the data network 344,and the command is received by the input 340.

In a particular embodiment, each of the set top boxes 310, 318, 328includes an audio component as shown. For example, the first set top box310 includes the first audio component 318. The first audio component318 is operative to send a signal to a playback device such as atelevision with a speaker to audibly announce the first publicidentifier 312. Alternatively, the first set top box 310 may display thefirst public identifier 312 via the display device 316 or via atelevision. Thus, the first set top box 310 may display the first publicidentifier 312 or may audibly announce the first public identifier 312via the audio playback component 318. By use of the audio playbackcomponent 318, a user that is visually impaired may be able to hear thefirst public identifier 312 and may use the first public identifier 312to make a service request that identifies the first set top box 310.

The system of FIG. 3 may thus enable a user to uniquely identify any ofa plurality of STBs (e.g., the STBs 310, 318, 328) and request serviceactions for a particular malfunctioning STB without affecting otherSTBs. The system of FIG. 3 may also provide user convenience by enablinga visual/audio/audiovisual display of STB public identifiers, instead ofrequiring a user to find a serial number on the STB or in a system menuof the STB. The system of FIG. 3 may also enable users and serviceproviders to decrease a number of on-site service calls, becausemalfunctioning STBs may be fixed remotely.

Referring to FIG. 4, a particular embodiment of a method of processinguser records and service requests associated with a particular set topbox is shown. The method includes creating a user record for a userwhere the user record contains a private identifier and a publicidentifier for each set top box associated with the user, at 402. Theuser record may be created at a database of a service provider. Themethod further includes receiving a service request associated with aparticular set top box where the service request includes a publicidentifier, at 404. The service request includes a particular publicidentifier that identifies the particular set top box. For example, thefirst public identifier 130 of the first set top box 106 may be receivedby the server 140 to identify the particular set top box as the firstset top box 106.

The method further includes retrieving a particular user record of theplurality of user records from the database based on the particularpublic identifier associated with the particular set top box, at 406.For example, the first user record 120 may be retrieved by the server140 based on receipt of the first public identifier 130 from theresidential gateway 114 coupled to the first set top box 106. The methodfurther includes retrieving a particular private identifier from adatabase based on the received public identifier, at 408. For example,the server 140 may retrieve the first private identifier 128corresponding to the first public identifier 130 by accessing the firstuser record 120 in the database 118. The method further includesperforming a service action in response to the service request based onthe particular private identifier associated with the particular set topbox, at 410. For example, the server 140 may perform a service actionbased on the first private identifier 128 that is associated with thefirst set top box 106. In a particular embodiment, the first privateidentifier 128 is a globally unique identifier (GUID).

In a particular embodiment, the service request is received via aninteractive voice response (IVR) device. Alternatively, the servicerequest may be received over a data network. In a particular embodiment,the server is a server of an internet protocol television (IPTV)platform, and the server of the IPTV platform may receive a servicerequest via a distributed IPTV data network.

In a particular embodiment, the plurality of user records may bedynamically created or deleted on behalf of a user. For example, each ofthe plurality of user records 120, 122, 124 may be created within thedatabase 118 in response to input from the user 148. Thus, as set topbox devices are added or removed, the user records within the database118 may be modified. For example, when a particular public identifier isdeleted by a user, the particular private identifier corresponding tothe particular public identifier may also be removed from the database118. As another example, when a private identifier is deleted by aservice provider, the corresponding public identifier may also beremoved from the database 118.

In a particular embodiment, a service action initiated by the server 140in response to a user request that identifies a particular publicidentifier of a particular set top box may include a command to performthe service action. For example, the types of user actions/serviceactions that may be performed include retrieving problem logs for aparticular set top box, performing general diagnostics on the particularset top box, checking the speed or bandwidth available to the particularset top box, or performing targeted diagnostics testing on the hardwareor software of the particular set top box.

In a particular embodiment, the command may initiate a reboot of theparticular identified set top box. For example, the server 140 mayinitiate a reboot command that is received at the first set top box 106and the first set top box 106 may be rebooted upon receiving the rebootcommand. In this scenario, the other set top boxes, such as the set topboxes 108, 112, may not be rebooted and are not affected by the servicecommand. A service command may be initiated by a service provider to aparticularly identified set top box for a user that has multiple set topbox devices (e.g. a user with a local network or a residential gatewaycoupled to multiple set top box devices). In addition, the user mayidentify the particular set top box to receive service by use of apublic identifier that is accessible by the user. The public identifiermay be displayable at or near (e.g. at a television) the particular settop box. The public identifier for each set top box may be user definedfor convenience of the user. In addition, the service provider may use aprivate identifier that corresponds to the public identifier to uniquelyidentify the particular set top box. Further, a user may be able toreadily identify a troubled set top box when using a self servicechannel (e.g., an Internet-accessible self service web portal) toresolve a problem with the set top box. Because a troubled set top boxcan be identified by a public identifier that the user can access, theuser may not need to reboot all the set top boxes or perform intrusivetesting to non-troubled set top boxes because the particular troubledset top box can be identified by the user.

Referring to FIG. 5, an illustrative embodiment of an Internet ProtocolTelevision (IPTV) system that may be used to support user identificationof a set top box is illustrated and is generally designated 500. Asshown, the system 500 can include a client-facing tier 502, anapplication tier 504, an acquisition tier 506, and an operations andmanagement tier 508. Each tier 502, 504, 506, 508 is coupled to aprivate network 510; to a public network 512, such as the Internet; orto both the private network 510 and the public network 512. For example,the client-facing tier 502 can be coupled to the private network 510.Further, the application tier 504 can be coupled to the private network510 and to the public network 512. The acquisition tier 506 can also becoupled to the private network 510 and to the public network 512.Additionally, the operations and management tier 508 can be coupled tothe public network 512.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the various tiers 502, 504, 506, 508communicate with each other via the private network 510 and the publicnetwork 512. For instance, the client-facing tier 502 can communicatewith the application tier 504 and the acquisition tier 506 via theprivate network 510. The application tier 504 can communicate with theacquisition tier 506 via the private network 510. Further, theapplication tier 504 can communicate with the acquisition tier 506 andthe operations and management tier 508 via the public network 512.Moreover, the acquisition tier 506 can communicate with the operationsand management tier 508 via the public network 512. In a particularembodiment, elements of the application tier 504, including, but notlimited to, a client gateway 550, can communicate directly with theclient-facing tier 502.

The client-facing tier 502 can communicate with user equipment via anaccess network 566, such as an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)access network. In an illustrative embodiment, customer premisesequipment (CPE) 514, 522 can be coupled to a local switch, router, orother device of the access network 566. The client-facing tier 502 cancommunicate with a first representative set top box device 516 at afirst customer premise via the first CPE 514 and with a secondrepresentative set top box device 524 at a second customer premise viathe second CPE 522. The client facing-tier 502 can also communicate witha third representative set top box device 517 at the first customerpremise via the first CPE 514. The CPE 514, 522 can include routers,local area network devices, modems, such as digital subscriber line(DSL) modems, residential gateways, any other suitable devices forfacilitating communication between a set top box device and the accessnetwork 566, or any combination thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the client-facing tier 502 can be coupled tothe CPE 514, 522 via fiber optic cables. Alternatively, the CPE 514, 522can be digital subscriber line (DSL) modems that are coupled to one ormore network nodes via twisted pairs, and the client-facing tier 502 canbe coupled to the network nodes via fiber-optic cables. Each set top boxdevice 516, 524 can process data received via the access network 566,via an IPTV software platform.

The first set top box device 516 can be coupled to a first externaldisplay device, such as a first television monitor 518, and the secondset top box device 524 can be coupled to a second external displaydevice, such as a second television monitor 526. Moreover, the first settop box device 516 can communicate with a first remote control 520, andthe second set top box device 524 can communicate with a second remotecontrol 528. The third set top box device 517 may similarly be coupledto an external display device. The set top box devices 516, 517, 524 caninclude IPTV set top box devices; video gaming devices or consoles thatare adapted to receive IPTV content; personal computers or othercomputing devices that are adapted to emulate set top box devicefunctionalities; any other device adapted to receive IPTV content andtransmit data to an IPTV system via an access network; or anycombination thereof.

In an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, each set top box device 516,517, 524 can receive data, video, or any combination thereof, from theclient-facing tier 502 via the access network 566 and render or displaythe data, video, or any combination thereof, at the display device 518,526 to which it is coupled. In an illustrative embodiment, the set topbox devices 516, 524 can include tuners that receive and decodetelevision programming signals or packet streams for transmission to thedisplay devices 518, 526. Further, the set top box devices 516, 517, 524can include a STB processor 570 and a STB memory device 572 that isaccessible to the STB processor 570. In one embodiment, a computerprogram, such as the STB computer program 574, can be embedded withinthe STB memory device 572. In another illustrative embodiment, a usercomputing device 584, such as a personal computer, laptop or localserver, can be coupled to a set top box device, such as the secondrepresentative set top box device 524, for example, via a universalserial bus (USB) connection or other connection. The set top box devices516, 517, 524 may also include an onboard display (e.g., LED display)for visual output of a public identifier and a speaker for audio outputof the public identifier.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 502 can include aclient-facing tier (CFT) switch 530 that manages communication betweenthe client-facing tier 502 and the access network 566 and between theclient-facing tier 502 and the private network 510. As illustrated, theCFT switch 530 is coupled to one or more data servers, such as D-servers532, that store, format, encode, replicate, or otherwise manipulate orprepare video content for communication from the client-facing tier 502to the set top box devices 516, 517, 524. The CFT switch 530 can also becoupled to a terminal server 534 that provides terminal devices with aconnection point to the private network 510. In a particular embodiment,the CFT switch 530 can be coupled to a video-on-demand (VOD) server 536that stores or provides VOD content imported by the IPTV system 500.

Further, the CFT switch 530 is coupled to one or more video servers 580that receive video content and transmit the content to the set top boxes516, 517, 524 via the access network 566.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 502 cancommunicate with a large number of set top boxes, such as therepresentative set top boxes 516, 517, 524 over a wide geographic area,such as a regional area, a metropolitan area, a viewing area, adesignated market area or any other suitable geographic area, marketarea, or subscriber or customer group that can be supported bynetworking the client-facing tier 502 to numerous set top box devices.In a particular embodiment, the CFT switch 530, or any portion thereof,can include a multicast router or switch that feeds one or more videostreams from a video server to multiple set top box devices.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the application tier 504 can communicate withboth the private network 510 and the public network 512. The applicationtier 504 can include a first application tier (APP) switch 538 and asecond APP switch 540. In a particular embodiment, the first APP switch538 can be coupled to the second APP switch 540. The first APP switch538 can be coupled to an application server 542 and to an OSS/BSSgateway 544. In a particular embodiment, the application server 542 canprovide applications to the set top box devices 516, 517, 524 via theaccess network 566, which enable the set top box devices 516, 517, 524to provide functions, such as display, messaging, processing of IPTVdata and VOD material, etc. In a particular embodiment, the OSS/BSSgateway 544 includes operation systems and support (OSS) data, as wellas billing systems and support (BSS) data. In one embodiment, theOSS/BSS gateway 544 can provide or restrict access to an OSS/BSS server564 that stores operations and billing systems data.

The second APP switch 540 can be coupled to a domain controller 546 thatprovides Internet access, for example, to users at their computers 568via the public network 512. For example, the domain controller 546 canprovide remote Internet access to IPTV account information, e-mail,personalized Internet services, or other online services via the publicnetwork 512. In addition, the second APP switch 540 can be coupled to asubscriber and system store 548 that includes account information, suchas account information that is associated with users who access the IPTVsystem 500 via the private network 510 or the public network 512. In anillustrative embodiment, the subscriber and system store 548 can storesubscriber or customer data and create subscriber or customer profilesthat are associated with IP addresses of corresponding set top boxdevices 516, 517, 524.

In a particular embodiment, the application tier 504 can include aclient gateway 550 that communicates data directly to the client-facingtier 502. In this embodiment, the client gateway 550 can be coupleddirectly to the CFT switch 530. The client gateway 550 can provide useraccess to the private network 510 and the tiers coupled thereto. In anillustrative embodiment, the set top box devices 516, 517, 524 canaccess the IPTV system 500 via the access network 566, using informationreceived from the client gateway 550. User devices can access the clientgateway 550 via the access network 566, and the client gateway 550 canallow such devices to access the private network 510 once the devicesare authenticated or verified. Similarly, the client gateway 550 canprevent unauthorized devices, such as hacker computers or stolen set topbox devices from accessing the private network 510, by denying access tothese devices beyond the access network 566. The client-facing tier 502may also include a database 530 to store associations of private STBGUIDs and public STB IDs. For example, the database 530 may include afirst GUID and a first STB ID for the first STB 514, a second GUID and asecond STB ID for the second STB 524, and a third GUID and a third STBID for the third STB 517.

For example, when the first representative set top box device 516accesses the client-facing tier 502 via the access network 566, theclient gateway 550 can verify subscriber information by communicatingwith the subscriber and system store 548 via the private network 510.Further, the client gateway 550 can verify billing information andstatus by communicating with the OSS/BSS gateway 544 via the privatenetwork 510. In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 544 can transmit aquery via the public network 512 to the OSS/BSS server 564. After theclient gateway 550 confirms subscriber and/or billing information, theclient gateway 550 can allow the set top box device 516 to access IPTVcontent and VOD content at the client-facing tier 502. If the clientgateway 550 cannot verify subscriber information for the set top boxdevice 516, e.g., because it is connected to an unauthorized twistedpair, the client gateway 550 can block transmissions to and from the settop box device 516 beyond the access network 566.

As indicated in FIG. 5, the acquisition tier 506 includes an acquisitiontier (AQT) switch 552 that communicates with the private network 510.The AQT switch 552 can also communicate with the operations andmanagement tier 508 via the public network 512. In a particularembodiment, the AQT switch 552 can be coupled to a live acquisitionserver 554 that receives or acquires television content, movie content,advertisement content, other video content, or any combination thereof,from a broadcast service 556, such as a satellite acquisition system orsatellite head-end office. In a particular embodiment, the liveacquisition server 554 can transmit content to the AQT switch 552, andthe AQT switch 552 can transmit the content to the CFT switch 530 viathe private network 510.

In an illustrative embodiment, content can be transmitted to theD-servers 532, where it can be encoded, formatted, stored, replicated,or otherwise manipulated and prepared for communication from the videoserver(s) 580 to the set top box devices 516, 517, 524. The CFT switch530 can receive content from the video server(s) 580 and communicate thecontent to the CPE 514, 522 via the access network 566. The set top boxdevices 516, 524 can receive the content via the CPE 514, 522, and cantransmit the content to the television monitors 518, 526. In anillustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of the content can bestreamed to the set top box devices 516, 517, 524.

Further, the AQT switch 552 can be coupled to a video-on-demand importerserver 558 that receives and stores television or movie content receivedat the acquisition tier 506 and communicates the stored content to theVOD server 536 at the client-facing tier 502 via the private network510. Additionally, at the acquisition tier 506, the video-on-demand(VOD) importer server 558 can receive content from one or more VODsources outside the IPTV system 500, such as movie studios andprogrammers of non-live content. The VOD importer server 558 cantransmit the VOD content to the AQT switch 552, and the AQT switch 552,in turn, can communicate the material to the CFT switch 530 via theprivate network 510. The VOD content can be stored at one or moreservers, such as the VOD server 536.

When users issue requests for VOD content via the set top box devices516, 517, 524, the requests can be transmitted over the access network566 to the VOD server 536, via the CFT switch 530. Upon receiving suchrequests, the VOD server 536 can retrieve the requested VOD content andtransmit the content to the set top box devices 516, 517, 524 across theaccess network 566, via the CFT switch 530. The set top box devices 516,517, 524 can transmit the VOD content to the television monitors 518,526. In an illustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of VODcontent can be streamed to the set top box devices 516, 517, 524.

FIG. 5 further illustrates that the operations and management tier 508can include an operations and management tier (OMT) switch 560 thatconducts communication between the operations and management tier 508and the public network 512. In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 5, theOMT switch 560 is coupled to a TV2 server 562. Additionally, the OMTswitch 560 can be coupled to an OSS/BSS server 564 and to a simplenetwork management protocol (SNMP) monitor 586 that monitors networkdevices within or coupled to the IPTV system 500. In a particularembodiment, the OMT switch 560 can communicate with the AQT switch 552via the public network 512.

In an illustrative embodiment, the live acquisition server 554 cantransmit content to the AQT switch 552, and the AQT switch 552, in turn,can transmit the content to the OMT switch 560 via the public network512. In this embodiment, the OMT switch 560 can transmit the content tothe TV2 server 562 for display to users accessing the user interface atthe TV2 server 562. For example, a user can access the TV2 server 562using a personal computer (PC) 568 coupled to the public network 512.

Referring to FIG. 6, an illustrative embodiment of a general computersystem is shown and is designated 600. The computer system 600 caninclude a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computersystem 600 to perform any one or more of the methods, algorithms, orcomputer based functions disclosed herein, such as the method of FIG. 4.The computer system 600, or any portion thereof, may operate as astandalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to othercomputer systems or peripheral devices. In an illustrative embodiment,the computer system 600 may include one or more of the set top boxes106, 108, 112 of FIG. 1, the residential gateway 147 of FIG. 1, theserver 140 of FIG. 1, the systems 142, 144 of FIG. 1, the database 118of FIG. 1, the set top boxes 206, 208, 212 of FIG. 2, the residentialgateway 214 of FIG. 2, the server 240 of FIG. 2, the systems 250, 252,254 of FIG. 2, the database 218 of FIG. 2, the set top boxes 310, 318,328 of FIG. 3, the residential gateway 302 of FIG. 3, and the server 346of FIG. 3. Each of the set top boxes 106, 108, 112 of FIG. 1, theresidential gateway 147 of FIG. 1, the server 140 of FIG. 1, the systems142, 144 of FIG. 1, the database 118 of FIG. 1, the set top boxes 206,208, 212 of FIG. 2, the residential gateway 214 of FIG. 2, the server240 of FIG. 2, the systems 250, 252, 254 of FIG. 2, the database 218 ofFIG. 2, the set top boxes 310, 318, 328 of FIG. 3, the residentialgateway 302 of FIG. 3, and the server 346 of FIG. 3 may include or beimplemented using the computer system 600 or a portion thereof.

In a networked deployment, the computer system 600 may operate in thecapacity of a server. The computer system 600 can also be implemented asor incorporated into various devices, such as a personal computer (PC),a tablet PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, apalmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, acommunications device, a wireless telephone, a personal trusted device,a web appliance, or any other machine capable of executing a set ofinstructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be takenby that machine. In a particular embodiment, the computer system 600 canbe implemented using electronic devices that provide voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single computer system 600 isillustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include anycollection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointlyexecute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or morecomputer functions.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the computer system 600 may include aprocessor 602, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), agraphics-processing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer system600 can include a main memory 604 and a static memory 606 that cancommunicate with each other via a bus 608. As shown, the computer system600 may further include a video display unit 610, such as a liquidcrystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flatpanel display, or a solid-state display. Additionally, the computersystem 600 may include an input device 612, such as a keyboard, and acursor control device 614, such as a mouse. The computer system 600 canalso include a disk drive unit 616, a signal generation device 618, suchas a speaker or remote control, and a network interface device 620.

In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 6, the disk drive unit616 may include a computer-readable medium 622 in which one or more setsof instructions 624, e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, theinstructions 624 may embody one or more of the methods or logic asdescribed herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions 624 mayreside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory 604,the static memory 606, and/or within the processor 602 during executionby the computer system 600. The main memory 604 and the processor 602also may include computer-readable media.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, suchas application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods described herein. Applications that may include theapparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include avariety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodimentsdescribed herein may implement functions using two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datacommands that can be communicated between and through the modules, or asportions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, thepresent system encompasses software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein may be implemented by software programsexecutable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limitedembodiment, implementations can include distributed processing,component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing.Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed toimplement one or more of the methods or functionality as describedherein.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium thatincludes instructions 624 or receives and executes instructions 624, sothat a device connected to a network 626 can communicate voice, video ordata over the network 626. Further, the instructions 624 may betransmitted or received over the network 626 via the network interfacedevice 620.

While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, theterm “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiplemedia, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associatedcaches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also include any tangible storagemedium that is capable of storing a set of instructions for execution bya processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or moreof the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as amemory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be arandom access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally,the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capturecarrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmissionmedium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one ormore of a computer-readable medium and other equivalents and successormedia, in which data or instructions may be stored.

In accordance with various embodiments, the methods described herein maybe implemented as one or more software programs running on a computerprocessor. Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limitedto, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Furthermore, alternative softwareimplementations including, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

It should also be noted that software that implements the disclosedmethods may optionally be stored on a tangible storage medium, such as:a magnetic medium, such as a disk or tape; a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk; or a solid state medium, such as a memory cardor other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsthat may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference toparticular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited tosuch standards and protocols. Such standards are periodically supersededby faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the samefunctions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having thesame or similar functions as those disclosed herein are consideredequivalents thereof.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein,individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely forconvenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of thisapplication to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover,although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangementdesigned to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted forthe specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover anyand all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the description.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be groupedtogether or described in a single embodiment for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed toless than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus,the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimedsubject matter.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall withinthe scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowedby law, the scope of the disclosure is to be determined by the broadestpermissible interpretation of the following claims and theirequivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoingdetailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving a request relatedto a media device, the request including a public identifier of themedia device and a user account identifier, wherein the publicidentifier is accessible by a user associated with the media device;accessing, based on the user account identifier, a user record from adatabase of user records, wherein the user record is associated with auser account corresponding to a location; determining, from the userrecord, a private identifier of the media device corresponding to thepublic identifier of the media device, wherein the private identifier isunique to the media device among a set of media devices associated withthe user record and the private identifier is inaccessible by the user;using the private identifier to perform an action related to the mediadevice in response to the request; receiving a user request to deletethe public identifier from the database; removing the private identifierfrom the database; and in response to removing the private identifierfrom the database, deleting the public identifier from the database. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the public identifier is user defined. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the private identifier is a globallyunique identifier.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the globally uniqueidentifier and the public identifier are accessible by a serviceconfiguration system and a policy management system.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising, after determining the private identifier,remotely retrieving a data log from the media device.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the request is received via an interactive voiceresponse device.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the request isreceived at a server of an Internet protocol television system.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the media device is rebooted in response toperforming the action.
 9. A device comprising: a processor; and a memoryaccessible to the processor, the memory storing a database associatedwith a service provider, wherein the database includes a plurality ofuser records, and wherein a particular user record comprises: an accountidentifier associated with the particular user record; a publicidentifier of a media device that is associated with the particular userrecord, wherein public identifier is accessible by a user of the mediadevice; and a private identifier of the media device, wherein theprivate identifier is unique to the media device among a set of mediadevice, wherein the private identifier is inaccessible by the user,wherein the processor is configured to cause an action related to themedia device to be performed using the private identifier, wherein thepublic identifier is deleted from the particular user record in responseto removal of the private identifier from the database, and wherein theprivate identifier is removed from the database in response to a userrequest to delete the public identifier from the database.
 10. Thedevice of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to receive, via aservice interface, a request that includes the account identifier andthe public identifier of the media device, and to retrieve the privateidentifier based on the account identifier and the public identifier byaccessing the database.
 11. The device of claim 9, wherein the actionrelated to the media device includes sending a command to reboot themedia device, wherein the command is addressed using the privateidentifier.
 12. The device of claim 9, wherein the public identifier isuser defined.
 13. The device of claim 9, wherein the private identifieris a globally unique identifier.
 14. The device of claim 9, wherein theparticular user record includes information identifying a plurality ofmedia devices associated with a single user location, wherein each ofthe plurality of media devices is associated with a different publicidentifier.
 15. A system comprising: a processor; and a memoryaccessible to the processor, wherein the memory includes instructionsexecutable by the processor, to cause the processor to performoperations comprising: receiving a request related to a media device,the request including a public identifier of the media device and a useraccount identifier, wherein the public identifier is accessible by auser associated with the media device; accessing, based on the useraccount identifier, a user record from a database of user records,wherein the user record is associated with a user account correspondingto a location; determining, from the user record, a private identifierof the media device corresponding to the public identifier of the mediadevice, wherein the private identifier is unique to the media deviceamong a set of media devices associated with the user record and theprivate identifier is inaccessible by the user; using the privateidentifier to perform an action related to the media device in responseto the request; receiving a user request to delete the public identifierfrom the database; removing the private identifier from the database;and in response to removing the private identifier from the database,deleting the public identifier from the database.
 16. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the private identifier is a globally uniqueidentifier.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the user record includesinformation identifying a plurality of media devices associated with thelocation, wherein each of the plurality of media devices is associatedwith a different public identifier.
 18. The system of claim 15, whereinthe action includes rebooting the media device.
 19. The system of claim15, wherein the media device is configured to cause the publicidentifier to be audibly output.